The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-03-25
Ten Years-A RETROSPECT.

oy the name OF ''uanncy, on thelr way to the
mountains Of North Carolina, and we happened
to be among the number. The unpretentious
littlo town, with probably one hundred souls,
attracted the attention Of mono Of our party 10
any extent; hut the magnificent structure near
by, known rs the Limestone college, called
forth the admiration Of all. Like n "banuuet
hall deserted" the famous old building, in
whose halls had once gathered the beauty and
chivalry of all Carolina, and through whose
echoing corridors had rang the burning slo-
quance Of such men rs John Belton O'Neal,
aud others, standing there alone, surrounded
by the grand and majestic oaks and cedn-s,
the once magnificent building was fast decaying
away. -
In the minds eye one could see that grand
old man, DR.. Curtis, the founder of tho college,
viewing the scene Of his earthly labors, and
with tears in those eyes that looked for the
last time on earth Us he sank to n watery grave,
repeating the sad, beautiful lines Of Oliver
Goldsmith: -
Sweet Auburn; loveliest village of the plain.
Where health nnd plenty oheered the labor
ing swain,
Where smiling Spring its earliest visit paid,
And parting Summers lingering blooms de-
layed'"
"Sweet smiling village, lovclie.t Of the lawn,
Thy sports arc le'i, and all thy charms with
drawn,
Amidst thy bowers the tyrant's hand is seen.
And desolation saddens oil thy green
And we'll might the sanity spirit weep, for
the college that he had founded, and for which
he had given his all, was without pupil, patron
or instructor. But our little party passed on,
and Gaffney and Limestone were LEFT behind.
Last week VIC made a visit to the places of
which We have just written. Instead of find
ing the little hamlet Of ten years ago, VIC saw
spread before u' "sweet smiling village" with
the cpportune name of Gaffney City. With
lavish hand fortune has dealt bouuteously with
this now rapidly increasing village, aud nature,
too, has given Gnffney City dcci del benefits,
retrospective look at its growth will not be
out of place
In 1880 the population was 400, and is now
estimated at 400. The property valuation i,
about 100000, and the yearly sales amount
to about 100000. From ten to fifteen thou,-
and bales Of cotton are annually shipped 10
New York, Baltimore and Eircrpoel. Four
churches have been erected and two largo
hotels grace the town. The stores, rs q general
rule, are splendid in their proportions aud the
merchants are Always busy. Among the large
stores We noticed those Of Carroll 4 Car
pentcr, L. G. Byars & Son, J. W. & j. r. Toll
lerson, Wood & Lipscomb and J. ID. Foster &
Co. These merchants do q large business and
arc the mainstays Of the town. The Tolle-
sons and J. ID. Foster are Union boys, and they
treated us royalty, as Union people always do.
A new banking establishment has just been
commenced by Mr.. a. N. Wood, one OF the
most progressive men in South Carolina to-day.
The legal fraternity at Gaffney is made I'D
of j. a. Cory, J. f. Webster, ]. C. Jeferie,
and D. C. Ross, who are all "WerfGp nAhu
law"
One of the best livery stables in the up coun-
try is kept by Mr.. Smith Cory, former resi-
dent Of Union County, and who is always glad
to see anybody from his native County.
As a rule, We always pay our respects to the
''Press' wherever we 60, and while in Gaffney
we had the pleasure Of paying the Bulletin a
visit, and found the accomplished young editor,
Mr.. w. w. Galloway, Mt his post. With scis-
sors in hand and paste pot near by, he gave u,
hearty greeting to the lit:lc city.
Perhaps the handsomest structure in Gaffney
City IS the Male md Female Seminary build
ing. II is fast being finished and il, without
doubt, one Of the best building, efit. kind in
South Carolina. Under the skillful manage
ment of Mcssrs Macarthur, Tankerslcy and
Sans, it is safe to predict that the Gaffney
City Male and Female Seminary, will cause
"boom' for Gaffney City. Union County is we'll
represented in the Seminary and so ia the evil
lagc." But we cannot linger.
Near the littlecity is the far.fsmed Cooper
Limestone Institute. 1t has been greatly i'm
proved in the last few years, and now no
desolaton snddens all its green, but
gay young maidens and little children
sport over its beautiful lawn, and in
its splendid buildings the young ladies' Of the
upper par, Of Carolina arc taught tho lessons
which enable them to fight the battles of life
with truer purpose, with loftier thoughts, and
truer womanhood.
Surrounded by faculty Of noted instructors
Prof. II. b. Griffith is doing great deal Of
good work, and mag IL be far distant when ho
shall cease his lnbors. Last year there was
graduated class of young ladies from this Insti
tuition which gave evidence of the highest train.
ing and culture, and whose graduation essays
called forth the commendation of all who
heard them.
A neat and we'll edited paper. the Limestone
Gazette is published at the Institute. But our
time has expired and the end has come.
To the Cooper Limestone Institute. its Facul-
ty and its young ladies', we dof our hat, and
wish them success; and. in the days that are
yet to comc. may the Institute. the conception